When I read through most blogs, I try really hard NOT to fall asleep:
It’s always the same
It’s always the same
It’s always the same
Heck, I thought watching soap operas was the most repititive thing in the world, but then I entered the blogosphere.
Have you noticed it ?
There’s something strange going on
There’s one word that gets excessively over-used. I’m going to give you a hint: It starts with “blog” and ends with “ging”.
Hey Bloggers
blogging better
How to write a blog post
Top 12 plugins for blogger
How to become a problogger
Blogging blogging blogging blogging. Boom. System crash.
Back in the days, blogging was just the name of the activity. People were writing about life, experiences and practical tips.
In 2010, the name of the activity has become the activity itself. Blogging from bloggers for bloggers who like blogging.
Seriously, this is like incest. The true aspect, telling stories, has been almost eliminated from the scene.
Imagine writing a novel, and all you talk is about words and writing a novel, instead of telling a story. Unless you write a remarkable instruction book, try something that hasn’t been done before a gazillion times.
Don’t worry. There’s still hope, I can feel it, it’s in the air.
Bring back the fire
Instead of blogging for the sake of blogging, go out and bring back the fire : Give your readers a full emotional experience.
This is what I do:
• post big, colorful images, mutliple times throughout the post
• Mix two unrelated ideas and “fusion” them: Marketing + Pokemon becomes: How a Pokemon can help you build a kick-ass online business
• Break the pattern: I vary my posting structures : Sometimes I do lists, sometimes I use colored paragraphs, and sometimes I publish more images than paragraphs. Every post is unpredictable, you never know what comes next.
• publish inspiring videos featuring…ME ! Video is ass-kicking when it comes to talking to your community: people get to see you (almost) face-to-face, and smile at your funny accent. It’s fun, and it’s all part of the game. Do it, it’s soo worth it.
• Explain a method or a “How To” by telling a personal story. This one rocks so hard it’s almost epic. You will establish an emotional bond with your readers, and deeply strengthen your community feeling.
Conclusion:
Yep, I’m a radical son of gun, but only because I want create the most awesome magic possible.
If you really want to inspire the world, get the focus away from the pure blogging aspect.
Inject your fresh creativity into your articles and tell a story. Write something exciting.
I know you can.
photo credit: twin_turbo_6
Mars Dorian is a child of the internet and in mad love with creative branding. If you want to create a kick-ass brand, make your blog stand out and simply rock the online galaxy with your essence, go check out his website marsdorian.com and grab his RSS feed today !
Hey Mars,
!!
nice Post buddy.. !!
I strongly agree with you ..on “excessively over-used”…
Though i’ve recently started using differ colors, images.. for my posts !!
and it’s going greattt !!
Thanks for sharing this great Post. !!
Hey Dev,
you got the passion right – and the desire to do something new. Kick-ass !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Really great article, Mars, and it was funny too
. I loved where you talked about people talking about “Blogging from bloggers for bloggers who like blogging.”, I just couldn’t stop laughing there, it was so funny 
.
I think that people should be able to mix their blog posts with interesting stuff which are fun to read without pushing away from the topic they want to talk about.
Just like you talked about people always talking about the activity of blogging, you were able to mix it with interesting stuff, your own personal story, and jokes to make it all lively and fun
.
Thanks, Mars, this is a great article you’ve written
.
.-= Shirley Osei-Mensah´s last blog ..5 Things To Do To Give Your New Wordress Blog A Great Start =-.
Thanks Shirley,
Yep, I always pour in personal stories and lots of different styles – I know the world needs it.
If I inspire while entertaining people, I’m doing a grrreat job.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Mars,
I love using stories in posts but sadly I don’t do it very often. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
.-= Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Can YouTube SEO Help With Search Engine Rankings? =-.
Hey Moon,
only use them when you want to – nothing’s worse than forcing your creativity !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Mars, I agree that many sites focus too much on the craft and science of blogging itself. However, if the blog is about blogging or social media, that makes sense, and the posts can be very useful. (Plugins are important.)
I focus on creating an important message, and except for my hiking blog, I rarely use images or video.
I do find that a good image can help, but more often then not they distract me from the text. And I think that so many blogs look the same because they all have a “cool” picture near the beginning.
.-= John Soares´s last blog ..Join Third Tribe Marketing Now — Before the Price Increase =-.
Hey John,
to each his own – I personally think that too many blogs have the same boring layout. It’s like most people don’t even try to do something special and inspiring. I appreciate everyone who’s taking the creative leap.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Mars, I agree that creativity can be helpful for many bloggers in many niches.
The creativity you display on your blog really suits you and your personality.
I salute you — for being truly you.
Blog on!
.-= John Soares´s last blog ..Join Third Tribe Marketing Now — Before the Price Increase =-.
Love the point you make. I do read “blogs on blogging” because I don’t know much about the “how to”. That’s why you won’t find me writing about it that way.
All I have are stories about my life.
That’s awesome Trece,
I read them too – but I luv it when people try to come up with something new and refreshing – or better -inspiring.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Hi Mars,
I agree with John that those craft/science things come in handy. As a beginning blogger I likely would have blown up myself and my blog had it not been for some of those bland and boring tutorials.
That said, blogs are about bringing our personality to the writing while giving the reader whatever it is we’ve promised them in our tagline. I’ve got a looooong way to go to splash things up, but I’m having a great time letting my humor and foibles shine through more.
I gotta admit though, I love that whole blogging from bloggers for bloggers who love blogging market. After writing in so many other forms, blogging is IT for me! I love it. I will talk about it incessantly and wallow in it and when I find others who want to get in there and wallow with me . . well . . . maybe it’s better if you don’t watch
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..How to Kick Your Blog into Summer Gear =-.
Hey Jean, whatever is right for you is right for you.
If you luv it, then do it – it’s your destiny
Personally, I enjoy writers who use a more creative style – people who dare to do something new and exciting – or “just” mix a well-told personal story with their blog posts.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
I’m with you on that, Jean!
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..10 Blogger Must Reads – Weekly Link List =-.
Blogging about blogging i think is an incredibly boring topic. It just comes down to being authentic and interesting. Having the courage to say what you really want to say, and not what you think people want to read.
.-= Iamdavid´s last blog ..Is Passion Really a Success Factor? =-.
Yep, speaking your mind is a grrreat authenticity-factor.
Even better – being authentic, interesting AND inspiring. What a golden formula.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
I noticed a few people have already commented on this, but I agree … it might all seem repetitive to you or me, but some of the “how-to guides” are definitely helpful to people that are just getting into blogging and want to improve their sites. On the other hand, though, I definitely agree that posting something just for the sake of posting it doesn’t make sense, either– mix it up a bit!
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..Steve’s Sunday Selections – May 30th, 2010 =-.
Hey Mars,
I like the excellent ideas you gave, especially the Fusion concept of bringing two completely different things together. Its the creativity and freshness it brings that keep posts interesting both for the blogger and reader too!
I found your blog from Alex Whalley and I just wanted to say that I’m glad I found it because its so refreshing and fun! Great work Mars, I’ll be adding your feed.
Keep up the good work man
Bailey
.-= Bailey Ing´s last blog ..Brilliant Blog Commenting & Why You Need To Pay Attention To These Guys. Period. =-.
Bailey Ing,
yep, creativity is the secret life force of awe-some, kick-ass blogs.
I want to illuminate the world with it
see you on my blog
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
Hi Mars,
Yeah, I’ve been hitting the snooze button on quite a few blogs lately – so glad this post jolted me awake. You’re right – something has got to give…
Thanks for the wake-up call.
.-= Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last blog ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II =-.
No worries, Kiesha,
just here to inspire
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..(video)Why You have to be Mad ! =-.
I also think that asking other people to guest post in your blog can add a level of variety to what you’re providing.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..Sign Language Used in Technology =-.
Hey Mars that’s good points, I like twining 2 seemingly unrelated topics and weaving together in a post – it gets double the SEO juice as well.
.-= Jorgen @ Personal Branding´s last blog ..10 Rules to Writing Compelling Cover Letters =-.
Is it possible that the reason for the sameness you see is the audience itself? No one likes to be bored, but there are lots of people who want to be successful online, so much so that I’d wager blogs about blogging are a self-contained community to some degree that supports itself.
Now I’m not saying any of this – if I’m right – is a bad thing. But I would say that given how many people on Twitter and on their blogs are self-proclaimed social media/marketing gurus, perhaps credibility may be far more important now than spicing one’s posts up a little.
We desperately need bloggers with genuinely original voices, who have something important to say. Self-publishing is an awesome power, esp. combined with freedom of speech. I definitely feel like an enormous opportunity is being wasted by many.
.-= ashok´s last blog ..Abraham Lincoln, “Letter to Ephraim D. and Phoebe Ellsworth” =-.
You are a true son of a gun and I love it. I do wonder how Pokemon can aid me in marketing but I’m sure you’ll tell me.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Curing hiccups and preventing alien invasions can easily go hand in hand =-.